Idaho donates $400K to pass gay marriage ban
Monday, November 10, 2008 10:43 AM PST
IDAHO FALLS (AP) — Campaign finance reports show Idaho residents contributed more than $400,000 to a Web site-based campaign in support of banning gay marriage in California.
California Secretary of State records show dozens of Idaho residents sent $10,000, $5,000 and $1,000 donations to
ProtectMarriage.com, an online-based campaign in support of the ban. Voters in California narrowly passed Proposition 8 in the Nov. 4 election. The ballot proposition amends the California constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman.
The
ProtectMarriage.com campaign collected a total of about $40 million for its Yes on Proposition 8 campaign, according to a statement posted on its Web site. The Idaho donations were collected in a span of less than two weeks, beginning on Oct. 27 and ending on Election Day, and a bulk of the money came from the eastern region of the state.
The wife of Frank VanderSloot, president and CEO the Melaleuca Inc. healthcare products company, donated $100,000 and Idaho Falls businessman Kreg Davis donated $15,000 to the
ProtectMarriage.com campaign.
Davis said his uncle is gay and lives in California with a partner.
‘‘I want them to be treated with respect and dignity,’’ Davis told the Post Register. ‘‘I want them to have equal rights and equal pay. At the same time, I believe children should be raised by a mom and a dad.’’
